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Tests conducted by an environmental group suggest last month’s Lac-Megantic, Que., train disaster had a devastating impact on water quality and soil in the affected area. But one expert urges a skeptical reading of the study.

A study by a Quebec environmental group of the site of the train disaster in Lac-Mégantic (pictured here in the hours after the explosions) produced results that are "worrisome" but "premature," says a chemical engineering professor. (MATHIEU BELANGER / REUTERS file photo)

By Melanie MarquisThe Canadian Press

Wed., Aug. 14, 2013

MONTREAL—Tests conducted by an environmental group suggest last month’s Lac-Mégantic, Que., train disaster had a devastating impact on water quality and soil in the affected area.

Extremely high concentrations of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and arsenic, detected in surface water, have “confirmed the fears” of the Société pour vaincre la pollution, the group said.

The analysis, which was obtained by The Canadian Press, suggests the rate of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons is 394,444 times the standard acceptable for surface waters mandated by the provincial government.

As well, the concentration of arsenic detected on the water’s surface is said to exceed the government’s acceptable standard by 28 times. There was also “an extremely high level of petroleum hydrocarbons” following the explosive derailment and oil spill, said the environmental group.

The Société worked in collaboration with Greenpeace on the study.

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The organization acknowledged that “because of its limited resources,” it was unable to perform all chemical analysis required to identify all the toxins but said it hoped to carry out a second round of tests.

The environmental group has criticized the provincial government’s attitude and accuses environment ministry officials of trying to create a “culture of secrecy.”

Greenpeace accused the department of underestimating the consequences of the July 6 derailment, which levelled part of the town and left 47 people dead.

“I was surprised to see them minimize the spill,” said Keith Stewart, co-ordinator of Greenpeace’s climate and energy campaign, in a telephone interview.

“This is one of the largest spills in Canadian history. It will take considerable effort to clean up.”

The organization also accused the private company contracted to conduct the cleanup of blocking its access to the site — something the company, SIMEC, has denied. In an interview, SIMEC said it had not had dealings with groups like SVP and did not bar access.

“What they’ve written is worrisome enough, but it’s premature,” said Gregory Patience.

“It’s incomplete and the report is alarmist.”

He added that the weight of the chemicals should have sent them sinking to the bottom of the Chaudiere River, so he’s perplexed that they would have been detected in surface waters in such a high volume.

As of Aug. 4, the Environment Department estimated that 7.2 million litres of light crude oil had spilled into the environment as a result of the catastrophic derailment.

Faced with mounting cleanup costs, the railway at the heart of the disaster has filed for bankruptcy protection and appears in danger of folding. The Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Railway will also have its Canadian licence revoked next week, federal regulators announced Tuesday.

Taxpayers have been forced to shell out millions for the environmental-cleanup bill after MMA failed to pay workers it had hired for the job.

The town and the Quebec government have sent legal notices to the railway, demanding it reimburse Lac-Megantic nearly $7.8 million.

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